Some plants on the list are definitely harmful, others are on the list as a direct result of politics. I trust neither side implicity on this subject. Follow the bucks.

Stevia, a native of South America is a case in point. It has been used as a sweetener in south America for hundreds and hundreds of years. It also has been on the Japanese market as a sweetener since the 1970's and is far superior to artificial sweeteners.

If you drink a Diet Coke in Japan, you are ingesting Stevia and the Japanese have rigorously tested this plant and have never found anything that would contraindicate its use. Odd how Japanese scientific research is deemed beyond reproach when it suits certain interests.

On one hand, Agriculture Canada is trying to develop Stevia plants which can be commercially harvested in this country, probably with enough changes that the seed can be patented, while Health Canada maintains a ban on its import and use. Sweet and Low anybody?.....sweet and low cunning.....